Cook better in the microwave

Read on for special tips about microwave cooking from cookery expert Tanya Mehta to keep your food healthy and fresh.

Keep in mind:Avoid over-cooking food in a microwave as the food becomes leathery. Give the dish a little standing time before you test it to avoid overcooking. Food cooks better in a round container than in a square one.

Space out:Never pile food on top of each other. It cooks better, evenly and quickly when spaced apart.

Sensible cooking:Do not add more water than required. However, a little water must be added to prevent dehydration of the vegetables, which results in the loss of natural juices. Addition of extra water increases the cooking time.

Must know:Do not deep fry in a microwave as the temperature of oil cannot be controlled. Do not cook eggs in their shells as the pressure will cause them to explode. Also, do not cook and reheat puddings containing alcohol, as they can easily catch fire. Avoid using containers with restricted openings, such as bottles.

Heat reheat:Use deep dishes to prepare gravies, filling the dish only 3/4 to avoid spillage. Do not reheat foods with silver sheet like sweets such as ladoos, burfi etc as it leads to sparking.